Volunteers

The National Museum of Australia welcomes and values the contribution of volunteers and recognises the wide range of skills and knowledge they bring with them.

Volunteers are important to the National Museum of Australia because they enhance the programs of the Museum beyond the skills and resources of staff. Moreover, by engaging volunteers the Museum is able to actively involve members of the community in its programs and to promote the two-way transfer of skills and knowledge.

Presently, nearly 80 volunteers share their time, skills and energy to assist the Museum in achieving its vision: A recognised world class museum exploring Australia's past, illuminating the present, imagining the future.

Activities

Photo: George Serras.

Volunteers range from school students to retired people − all from different walks of life. All of the Museum's volunteers have one thing in common − a commitment and desire to be involved in the work of the National Museum of Australia. Our volunteers assist staff in various areas of the Museum.

Here are some of the wide-ranging tasks undertaken by volunteers:

Education programs

Volunteers assist in delivering a variety of educational programs to groups of students from 5 to 18 years of age.

Public programs

Volunteers develop and operate touch-trolleys throughout the Museum. They also assist with school holiday programs, performances, workshops, and are involved in temporary exhibitions.

Paddle Steamer Enterprise

The Murray River Paddle Steamer Enterprise has been active on Lake Burley Griffin since 1988. It is the largest operational object of the National Museum of Australia's collection. Although not able to carry passengers, the Enterprise has a dedicated volunteer crew who operate the vessel on the lake and share the history of the vessel and the Murray River, each weekend from September to May.

Behind the scenes

Volunteers assist with research, cataloguing, maintenance and development of programs with curators, librarians, conservators and other content development staff. Volunteer places in these programs are limited and in high demand, therefore a longer waiting period for involvement may apply.

Further information

If you want to be part of the Museum's volunteer team, are enthusiastic and looking for an opportunity to share your talents and knowledge, and to develop new skills and meet new friends, please contact us.

Should you be interested in undertaking a volunteer placement with the Museum, please contact the volunteer unit on (02) 6208 5118 or (02) 6208 5204. Any questions and queries can be emailed to volunteering@nma.gov.au.